Committee approves annexation, cooperation agreement

January 28, 2014

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – During a Tuesday (Jan. 28) meeting of the executive committee of Purdue University's Board of Trustees, members voted not to remonstrate against the proposed U.S. 231 corridor annexation by the city of West Lafayette.

In addition, the committee gave authorization to enter into an Interlocal Cooperation Agreement with the city related to the annexation. Under the Purdue bylaws, the executive committee is empowered to act on behalf of the full Board of Trustees during intervals between regular meetings.

On Nov. 7 the West Lafayette City Council passed a plan to annex the area along the U.S. 231 corridor, which includes the Purdue campus and properties owned by the Purdue Research Foundation. With the committee's vote, the annexation is expected to take effect on Feb. 13, in the absence of further remonstrance efforts. Although the annexation will absorb the territory occupied by Purdue into the city limits, the university, as a state entity, will not become subject to regulation by the city. Roads running through campus, previously under county jurisdiction, will become the city's responsibility.

"Purdue and the city have long enjoyed a collaborative relationship. This annexation provides an opportunity to enhance our partnership and explore the potential for a new joint effort in areas of mutual interest, such as public safety, community and economic development," said Al Diaz, Purdue executive vice president for business and finance, treasurer. "It will provide a formal framework for future cooperation."

To help formalize their relationship following annexation, the city of West Lafayette and Purdue will enter into an Interlocal Cooperation Agreement - a state law mechanism that allows public entities to exercise their powers in conjunction with each other. Under the agreement, which was also approved by the committee on Tuesday, representatives of both entities will make up a joint board to oversee and make decisions on issues arising within their collaborative relationship.

Also approved at Tuesday's meeting was a contract with Fishers, Ind.-based SARCOM, a reseller of Cisco IT equipment and infrastructure, for $4.3 million. Purdue, as part of a state of Indiana Quantity Purchase Agreement, will receive a 45.1 percent standard discount on all SARCOM products (data/networking equipment). In an effort to further reduce costs, Purdue contacted Cisco to negotiate bundle pricing by looking at all the network purchases for the year. This resulted in an additional discount of 15 percent or $1.6 million. This discount is in addition to the standard Purdue pricing and 60 percent savings on list price.